In silico study on spice-derived antiviral phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 TMPRSS2 target

In silico identification and validation of phenolic lipids as potential inhibitor against bacterial and viral strains

The recurrence of coronavirus disease and bacterial resistant strains has drawn attention to naturally occurring bioactive molecules that can demonstrate broad-spectrum efficacy against bacteria as well as viral strains. The drug-like abilities of naturally available "anacardic acids" (AA) and their derivatives against different bacterial and viral protein targets through in-silico tools were explored. Three viral protein targets [P DB: 6Y2E (SARS-CoV-2), 1AT3 (Herpes) and 2VSM (Nipah)] and four bacterial protein targets [P DB: 2VF5 (Escherichia coli), 2VEG (Streptococcus pneumoniae), 1JIJ (Staphylococcus aureus) and 1KZN (E. coli)] were selected to evaluate the activity of bioactive AA molecules. The potential ability to inhibit the progression of microbes has been discussed based on the structure, functionality and interaction ability of these molecules on the selected protein targets for multi-disease remediation. The number of interactions, full-fitness value and energy of the ligand-target system were determined from the docked structure in SwissDock and Autodock Vina. In order to compare the efficacy of these active derivatives to that of commonly used drugs against bacteria and viruses, a few of the selected molecules were subjected to 100 ns long MD simulations. It was found that the phenolic groups and alkyl chains of AA derivatives are more likely to bind with microbial targets, that could be responsible for the improved activity against these targets. The results suggest that the proposed AA derivatives have demonstrated potential to become active drug ingredients against microbial protein targets. Further, experimental investigations are essential for clinical verification of the drug-like abilities of AA derivatives.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Engineered Cross-Linked Silane with Urea Polymer Thin Durable Coatings onto Polymeric Films for Controlled Antiviral Release of Activated Chlorine and Essential Oils

In March 2020, the World Health Organization announced a pandemic attributed to SARS-CoV-2, a novel beta-coronavirus, which spread widely from China. As a result, the need for antiviral surfaces has increased significantly. Here, the preparation and characterization of new antiviral coatings on polycarbonate (PC) for controlled release of activated chlorine (Cl⁺) and thymol separately and combined are described. Thin coatings were prepared by polymerization of 1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] urea (TMSPU) in ethanol/water basic solution by modified Stöber polymerization, followed by spreading the formed dispersion onto surface-oxidized PC film using a Mayer rod with appropriate thickness. Activated Cl-releasing coating was prepared by chlorination of the PC/SiO₂-urea film with NaOCl through the urea amide groups to form a Cl-amine derivatized coating. Thymol releasing coating was prepared by linking thymol to TMSPU or its polymer via hydrogen bonds between thymol hydroxyl and urea amide groups. The activity towards T4 bacteriophage and canine coronavirus (CCV) was measured. PC/SiO₂-urea-thymol enhanced bacteriophage persistence, while PC/SiO₂-urea-Cl reduced its amount by 84%. Temperature-dependent release is presented. Surprisingly, the combination of thymol and chlorine had an improved antiviral activity, reducing the amount of both viruses by four orders of magnitude, indicating synergistic activity. For CCV, coating with only thymol was inactive, while SiO₂-urea-Cl reduced it below a detectable level.

Experimental and clinical evidence on the effect of carvacrol on respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders: A comprehensive review

Carvacrol (CAR) showed various pharmacological and therapeutic effects in different disorders. In the current article, the experimental and clinical effects of CAR on respiratory, allergic, and immunologic disorders are described. Various databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus, were searched regarding the effects of CAR on respiratory and allergic disorders until the end of October 2021. CAR showed the relaxant effect, with various possible mechanisms suggesting the bronchodilatory effect in obstructive pulmonary diseases. The preventive effects of CAR on experimental animal models of respiratory diseases were shown through mechanisms such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory. CAR also showed therapeutic potential on lung cancer, lung infections, and allergic and immunologic disorders. Clinical studies also revealed therapeutic effects of CAR on asthma, sulfur-mustard-induced lug disorders, and some other allergic and immunologic diseases. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of CAR indicate possible remedy effects of this agent in the treatment of respiratory, allergic, and immunologic diseases.

Prospective Medicinal Plants and Their Phytochemicals Shielding Autoimmune and Cancer Patients Against the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Special Focus on Matcha

Background

Being "positive" has been one of the most frustrating words anyone could hear since the end of 2019. This word had been overused globally due to the high infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2. All citizens are at risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, but a red warning sign has been directed towards cancer and immune-compromised patients in particular. These groups of patients are not only more prone to catch the virus but also more predisposed to its deadly consequences, something that urged the research community to seek other effective and safe solutions that could be used as a protective measurement for cancer and autoimmune patients during the pandemic.

Aim

The authors aimed to turn the spotlight on specific herbal remedies that showed potential anticancer activity, immuno-modulatory roles, and promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 actions.

Methodology

To attain the purpose of the review, the research was conducted at the States National Library of Medicine (PubMed). To search databases, the descriptors used were as follows: "COVID-19"/"SARS-CoV-2", "Herbal Drugs", "Autoimmune diseases", "Rheumatoid Arthritis", "Asthma", "Multiple Sclerosis", "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" "Nutraceuticals", "Matcha", "EGCG", "Quercetin", "Cancer", and key molecular pathways.

Results

This manuscript reviewed most of the herbal drugs that showed a triple action concerning anticancer, immunomodulation, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. Special attention was directed towards "matcha" as a novel potential protective and therapeutic agent for cancer and immunocompromised patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Conclusion

This review sheds light on the pivotal role of "matcha" as a tri-acting herbal tea having a potent antitumorigenic effect, immunomodulatory role, and proven anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, thus providing a powerful shield for high-risk patients such as cancer and autoimmune patients during the pandemic.

Nigella sativa L. Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Review (2019-2021)

Medicinal and aromatic plants are mainly characterized by the presence of different bioactive compounds which exhibit various therapeutic activities. In order to investigate the different pharmacological properties of different Nigella sativa extracts, a multitude of research articles published in the period between 2019 and 2021 were obtained from different databases (Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Web of Science), and then explored and analyzed. The analysis of the collected articles allows us to classify the phytochemicals and the pharmacological activities through their underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as to explore the pharmacological activities exhibited by several identified compounds in Nigella sativa which allow a better understanding, and better elucidation, of the bioactive compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects. Also shown are the existence of other bioactive compounds that are still unexplored and could be of great interest. This review could be taken as a guide for future studies in the field.

Computational screening of phytochemicals from three medicinal plants as inhibitors of transmembrane protease serine 2 implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 is a major global public health issue that requires urgent attention in terms of drug development. Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a good drug target against SARS-CoV-2 because of the role it plays during the viral entry into the cell. Virtual screening of phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of TMPRSS2 can lead to the discovery of drug candidates for the treatment of COVID-19.

Purpose

The study was designed to screen 132 phytochemicals from three medicinal plants traditionally used as antivirals; Zingiber officinalis Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae), and Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), as potential inhibitors of TMPRSS2 for the purpose of finding therapeutic options to treat COVID-19.

Methods

Homology model of TMPRSS2 was built using the ProMod3 3.1.1 program of the SWISS-MODEL. Binding affinities and interaction between compounds and TMPRSS2 model was examined using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The drug-likeness and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties of potential inhibitors of TMPRSS2 were also assessed using admetSAR web tool.

Results

Three compounds, namely, niazirin, quercetin, and moringyne from M. oleifera demonstrated better molecular interactions with binding affinities ranging from -7.1 to -8.0 kcal/mol compared to -7.0 kcal/mol obtained for camostat mesylate (a known TMPRSS2 inhibitor), which served as a control. All the three compounds exhibited good drug-like properties by not violating the Lipinski rule of 5. Niazirin and moringyne possessed good ADMET properties and were stable in their interactions with the TMPRSS2 based on the molecular dynamics simulation. However, the ADMET tool predicted the potential hepatotoxic and mutagenic effects of quercetin.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the potentials of niazirin, quercetin, and moringyne from M. oleifera, to inhibit the activities of human TMPRSS2, thus probably being good candidates for further development as new drugs for the treatment or management of COVID-19.